Is agriculture more dangerous than mining?

THEY’RE two of the most dangerous industries in Australia, but a new study from the Primary Industries Health and Safety Partnership suggests that agricultural industry needs more safety protocols than the mining industry.

The major barriers to implementing safety practices within the primary producers industry included perceived cost, time and inconvenience to implement change.

Former miner turned cattle producer Matt Bennetto said the agriculture sector is still playing “catch-up” when it comes to workplace health and safety.

“Because the (mining) industry mitigates most of the dangers, I actually think coal mining ends up a safer environment than the everyday operations of a cattle station,” he said.

“Some of the on-farm dangers are short-term, immediate ones like falling off a horse or cutting yourself on barbed wire, while others are long-term risks like the impacts of sun exposure.”

Mr Bennetto said agriculture could draw from the mining industry’s approach to greater task awareness to save lives and prevent injuries.

PIHSP aims to promote the best work-health and safety practicesin farming industries across Australia.